Can you paint over lead paint? Is it safe?

The very short answer is that yes, you can paint over lead-based paint if you want. It can help make deteriorated paint safely. But there are options that are significantly better for you to pursue than simply adding a layer of paint on top of it. 

While it may be an effective remediation technique, it needs to be done right. You can’t just do it with any paint you want. You can’t simply go to your local Home Depot and pick up the cheapest type of paint, spend an afternoon and get it done. It just isn’t quite that simple. 

However, the good news is that it can be done. The better news is that we have created a very extensive article on the topic that you might want to read. 

Check4Lead is in the business of selling lead test kits to homeowners and contractors alike. We also have a very big section of topics that we have covered that may help you. 

Check out this article to figure out how you would go about painting over lead paint. It explains how to encapsulate the dangerous paint. We put a lot of time and effort into it. It has recently increased significantly in popularity, which is an achievement we are very proud of. 

If you are capable of it, our recommendation is always to make sure that you remove lead paint wherever possible. Do so, along with all the various safety measures that need to be taken. It’s not just to make sure you stay protected while performing the work.

Do as much as possible to limit the spread of the dust. It is what you will be inhaling if you aren’t wearing the adequate respirator that will help you get the job done. There’s a whole section and article we have written that goes into a great deal of detail on how you can remove the paint. It touches on many of the different things you need to be aware of. 

Some of the safety precautions that we talk about in the article include wearing coveralls when you’re doing the work. It ensures you do not get the dust trapped in your regular clothes.

Table of content

  • Should you encapsulate lead paint or have it removed? 
  • Dangers of lead paint
  • When you shouldn’t encapsulate
  • Which paints can you use for the purpose?
  • Working with a pro
  • Are you doing it yourself anyway?

Should you encapsulate lead paint or have it removed?

There’s no doubt that encapsulation can act as an immediate shield against dangerous material. There are a lot of situations where we wouldn’t be encouraging it. You might be better off in the long term having it completely addressed. Many hairline cracks could mean it’s better to abate the paint altogether.

Encapsulation may currently help you and your family avoid the dangers that come from exposed and damaged lead paint. All it is is simply a layer of protection on top of old paint. It is not a permanent fix but simply one that will hide the problem for now. Suppose you are planning on selling the home at a later point. In that case, you may be thinking that it would be too much money to have it completely abated. Still, encapsulation is not the end-all-be-all solution either. 

There’s no doubt about it – encapsulation or painting over lead paint is easier and cheaper than it is to have it removed. To a much lesser extent, you will have to worry about releasing lead dust into the air. Even if you choose to go down that route, it doesn’t mean you don’t have to take the necessary precautions to stay safe. 

It’s also important to know that you will not use the normal paint that you’re finding at your local hardware store either. It has to be special paint used for it. If you have a contractor, do it. Ensure that they are certified Renovation, Repair, and Painting, RRP, contractors who will take the necessary steps to do the work as it is supposed to be done.

This includes covering everything up with plastic sheeting and cleaning afterward using HEPA filters. It requires turning off the air filtration system, so it doesn’t end up going in there.

Dangers to Know About

It may seem obvious since you have made it this far into the article. We find it important to point out that it is a harmful material that you are dealing with if you don’t know what you are doing. It is no joke that it was banned for residential housing paint more than 40 years ago. It has been that long since its ban.

When you shouldn’t encapsulate

As we previously mentioned, other websites do point out that there are times when it isn’t ideal for encapsulating. If you have read the previous section, you wouldn’t be surprised to know our stance. We take it a bit further than most other sites do. However, the consensus is that you shouldn’t be encapsulating when the paint starts to deteriorate.

It makes sense. On the other hand, there isn’t much reason you should encapsulate it if the paint isn’t deteriorating. Lead paint in good condition isn’t dangerous in and on itself. It’s only when it deteriorates and starts peeling or flaking off that it becomes a health risk.

It’s because it turns into dust. The paint chips may end up landing on something that is somehow consumed. We understand that you may want to paint your walls after 40 years.

Which paints can you use?

If you choose to proceed with the purpose, there are a couple of different types of paint you should know about that may be used. Always make sure that you ask the professional at the store before you proceed. However, they’ll best be able to help you with the specific type that you’re considering.

The 3 main types include cement-type paints, polymers, and epoxy. The cement type’s disadvantage is that it will need to be mixed. In contrast, the two others are simpler for your average DIY person. Therefore, they’re the ones we recommend here. 

 

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